Seal of Biliteracy

Graduating seniors who have demonstrated their language skills through World Language Credit Testing (earning 4 credits) or by passing Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) language exams will have the honor of receiving the State Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal is intended to highlight the benefits in today’s world of speaking, reading, and writing English and at least one other language.

Seattle World Languages Fair: Languages Lead Us on a Path to Understanding Other Cultures*

About the Seal of Biliteracy

The Washington State Seal of Biliteracy was passed by the Legislature in 2014, and the first State Seals were issued in June 2015. Students received a Seal of Biliteracy sticker to affix to their high school diploma and a medallion to wear at graduation. (View Seal of Biliteracy Diploma Sticker and Medallion).

Since June 2015, 940 students in Seattle has earned the Seal (as graduating seniors) and an additional 543 students have qualified as proficient and will likely earn the Seal when they graduate.
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What Students Receive

Students receive a medallion to wear at graduation. The medallions are delivered by end of May to the high schools (to a coordinator of graduation ceremonies). Some high schools distribute them at an awards ceremony at the school; others may hand them out for graduation. In addition, the Seal "sticker" is affixed to the students' diplomas and a letter about the Seal is enclosed with the diplomas when they are delivered to the schools in June. Finally, high school counselors need to update the students' transcripts to reflect that they received the Seal of Biliteracy.

How to Qualify

Students can qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy by meeting all graduation requirements, including required ELA state assessments, plus demonstrating proficiency in another language through the three testing options indicated above (AP score of 3 or higher; IB SL or HL with a score of 4 or higher, or 4 credits (overall Intermediate Mid or higher proficiency) through Competency-Based Credit testing). Use the OSPI Flow Chart to determine eligibility.

The district offers World Language Credit Testing monthly during the school year at the Seattle World School. Dates for 2017-2018 will be set later this summer. Learn more at:World Language Credit Testing.